Explained: Why Cristiano Ronaldo Is Abandoning His ‘Dream’ £30m Retirement Villa – And How It Could Still Play a Role in a Lavish Wedding to Georgina Rodriguez

Why Cristiano Ronaldo Is Ready to Walk Away from His Dream Retirement Villa with Infinity Pool

For most people, a £30 million retirement villa overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, complete with an infinity pool, private beach access and gold-plated details, would be the final destination. For Cristiano Ronaldo, it turns out to be just another chapter — and perhaps not the ending he once imagined.

The Portuguese superstar is reportedly preparing to abandon what was widely described as his “dream” retirement home in Cascais, despite pouring time, money and personal touches into the sprawling property. It is a surprising development, especially given that the villa was originally designed as the place where Ronaldo would settle down once his legendary career finally came to an end.

Yet, as with much of Ronaldo’s life, plans evolve. While the mansion may no longer serve as his permanent base, it could still host one of the most high-profile private events in modern football culture: his wedding to long-time partner Georgina Rodriguez.

Cristiano Ronaldo Al-Nassr 2024-25

Inside Cristiano Ronaldo’s £30m Retirement Villa

Ronaldo purchased the plot of land in the exclusive Quinta da Marinha area of Cascais back in September 2022. At the time, the idea was simple and deeply personal. This was meant to be home — the place where Cristiano Ronaldo the footballer would eventually become Cristiano Ronaldo the retired icon, family man and global brand ambassador.

The finished product is nothing short of spectacular.

The villa boasts eight bedrooms, an underground garage capable of housing Ronaldo’s enviable car collection, a state-of-the-art gym, a massage room, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and a dedicated playground for his five children. There is also direct access to a private stretch of beach, offering a level of seclusion that few properties in Portugal can match.

According to reports, the interior reflects Ronaldo’s taste for bold luxury. Italian marble features throughout the house, taps are finished in gold, and one wall is adorned with a specially designed Louis Vuitton mural. Every detail was chosen with care, ensuring the property reflected not only wealth, but identity.

This was not meant to be just another investment. This was personal.

The Privacy Problem on the ‘Portuguese Riviera’

So why walk away?

According to Portuguese outlet V+ Fama, the issue is privacy — or, more accurately, the lack of it. Despite being located in one of Portugal’s most prestigious residential areas, the villa sits uncomfortably close to a five-star hotel and a busy golf course. For someone of Ronaldo’s global profile, even the most luxurious walls can feel transparent.

Ronaldo reportedly attempted to purchase adjacent land owned by The Ovitavos hotel in a bid to create a larger buffer zone between his family and the outside world. Those attempts were unsuccessful. With the land unavailable, the dream of total privacy began to fade.

For a player who has spent more than two decades under constant public scrutiny, privacy is no small matter. Now 40 and playing his football with Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo appears to be thinking less about aesthetics and more about long-term peace of mind.

As a result, the four-year project may be nearing its end — at least as a permanent residence.

Not Goodbye Just Yet: A Wedding Venue with Meaning

Despite being ready to abandon the villa as a home, Ronaldo is not ruling out one final, memorable use for the property. According to the same reports, the mansion could host his wedding to Georgina Rodriguez.

Initially, it was believed that the couple would marry at Funchal Cathedral in Madeira, Ronaldo’s birthplace, with a reception at a nearby luxury hotel. That plan has not been officially scrapped, but the Cascais villa is now being considered as a more intimate alternative.

The idea is appealing. The house represents a major personal milestone for Ronaldo — a symbol of legacy, family and life after football. Using it as a wedding venue would allow the couple to celebrate privately, away from cameras and crowds, while still embracing the significance of the space.

In that scenario, the villa would effectively serve three purposes at once: a wedding venue, a housewarming celebration, and a farewell to a dream that no longer fits.

A Property Empire Gives Ronaldo Options

Walking away from a £30m villa is easier when you own several other luxury homes.

Ronaldo’s property portfolio is vast and global. In Portugal alone, he owns a £6m penthouse in Lisbon and a residence in Madeira. From his time at Real Madrid, he retains a mansion in the Spanish capital, while his Juventus years left him with a luxury home in Turin.

These properties give Ronaldo flexibility. He is not tied emotionally or logistically to one location, and his lifestyle has always been fluid, shaped by footballing commitments and business interests.

In that sense, abandoning the Cascais villa is less dramatic than it might seem. For Ronaldo, it is simply a recalibration.

How Cristiano Ronaldo Proposed to Georgina Rodriguez

Ronaldo recently opened up about his proposal to Georgina in a candid interview, offering a rare glimpse into a quieter, more personal side of his life.

Speaking to Piers Morgan, he revealed that the moment was entirely unplanned.

“It was like 1am. My daughters were in bed sleeping,” Ronaldo said. “One of my friends gave me the ring to offer Gio and as I was giving her the ring, my two kids came in and said, ‘Daddy, you’re going to give the ring to mum and you’re going to ask her to get married.’”

That unexpected interruption turned into a moment of clarity.

“I said, ‘Wow, this is the right moment.’ I knew I was going to do it one day, but I hadn’t planned to do it then,” he added.

Ronaldo admitted he didn’t get down on one knee and hadn’t rehearsed a speech, but the sincerity of the moment mattered more than the theatrics.

“It was simple. I’m not a very romantic guy… but I’m romantic in my way.”

Private Ceremony, Private Life

Georgina Rodriguez ring Cristiano Ronaldo

When discussing wedding plans, Ronaldo made it clear that Georgina’s preferences come first. She is not drawn to grand public celebrations or extravagant parties. Privacy matters to her, too.

“She doesn’t like big parties. She likes private things. So I will respect these decisions,” Ronaldo said.

That mindset aligns perfectly with the idea of using the Cascais villa as a wedding venue. While lavish in scale, the property allows complete control over guest lists, security and atmosphere — a rare luxury for two people who live under constant media attention.

A Symbol of Transition

Ultimately, the story of Ronaldo’s retirement villa is about transition. What once represented the final chapter of a footballing life now feels like a stepping stone instead.

Ronaldo is still playing. Still competing. Still setting records. His life is far from settled, even at 40. The idea of retirement, once clearly mapped out, is now more fluid — just like everything else around him.

If the Cascais mansion ends up hosting a wedding before being sold, it will still have served a meaningful purpose. It will have marked a turning point, not an ending.

And for Cristiano Ronaldo, perhaps that is fitting. Even his “dream” retirement plan refuses to stay still.